Carrier



C. F. BUENTE June 14, 1938.

CARRIER 2 SheeCs-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1956 4; ATTORNEYS.

Jul le 14, 1938. Q E 2,120,639

CARRIER Filed 001:. 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 5.45%EIII/ W/TNEJSEJINVENTOR. I 1 BY m {5M fi ow 31W, 6%, 6 6.1%

A? ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 14, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE CARRIER ApplicationOctober 3, 1936, Serial No. 103,915

13 Claims.

This invention relates to grapple mechanism and more particularly toimproved apparatus for picking up and carrying coils of metal strip orthe like.

Heretofore apparatus for carrying coils has been provided but this hasbeen open to the objection that coils of varying widths and diameterscan not be readily handled or can not be handled at all. Furthermore,known apparatus is ordinarily relatively complicated and expensive, isnot easily manipulated, or damages the coils.

It is the general object of my invention to avoid and overcome theforegoing and other difficulties of known grapple mechanism used, forexample, to carry strip metal coils by the provision of improvedapparatus of relatively simple but sturdy construction which is easilyma- 'nipulated in complete safety by the ordinary workman to handlecoils of widely varying widths, diameter, and thickness.

Another object of my invention is to provide coil-carrying mechanismwhich functions to antomatically release a coil when the coil isdeposited in the desired position.

.The foregoing and other objects of my inven- -tion are achieved by theprovision of apparatus comprising a frame having a central pedestal withaligned arms secured to the pedestal and extending outwardly and.downwardly thereof. Aninwardly facing jaw is slidably mounted on eacharm for movement to and from the pedestal. The jaws are moved outwardlyof their sloping supporting arms by their own weight as willbeunderstood. Links pivotally secured to the jaws are pivotallyconnected at their free ends to a shackle adapted to receive the cranehook or other means normally lifting the apparatus and the coil. Liftingthe shackle moves the jaws toward each other and toward the pedestal sothat a coil positioned between the jaws is clamped thereby and picked upby the apparatus, as will be understood- Incorporated in-the structureare latch means normally pivotally secured to one link and'extendinginto releasable engagement with the other for holding the. jaws apartwhen desired. In setting a coil carried by the apparatus down in adesired position once the coil has stopped moving the continued downwardmovement of the shackle moves the jaws apart and near the end of thismovement the latch means automatically engages to hold the jaws in theirmost extended position.

Thus the crane can immediately lift the carrier away from the coilwithout a workman operating the carrier. I

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of oneembodiment of apparatus incorporating the principles of my invention;Fig. 2is 'a partial encl view of theapparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on lineIIIIII of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a crossscctional view taken on line IV-IV ofFig. 1 and. illustrating details of the pivotal connection between a jawand the operating links; and Fig. 5 is a crosssectional View taken online VV of Fig. 1 and showing in detail the manner of slidably mountingthe jaw upon an arm of the frame member.

While the principles of my invention are broadly adapted to theconstruction of grapple mechanism adapted for substantially any use,they are particularly applicable to apparatus for carrying strip metalcoils, as for example in a rolling mill, before, between or after hot orcold rolling operations. Accordingly, my invention has been specificallyillustrated and will be described in conjunction with the handling ofmetal coils. It should be understood, however, that wire coils, barrels,cylinders,-or other means may be carried by the apparatus with little orno change in construction except perhaps the shape of the jaw member.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the numeral ll] indicatesgenerally a frame which is ordinarily formed to include a pedestal l2 towhich are secured aligned outwardly and somewhat downwardly extendingarms l4. The particular angle that the arms make with the horizontal isordinarily about or so that the outer end of each arm is just above thelower surface of the pedestal l2 as will be evident from a considerationof Fig. 1.

Slidably mounted on each arm 14 is a jaw member, indicated as a whole bythe numeral l6, which may take a plurality of forms but in theparticular embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises side platesl8 spaced apart by blocks l9 a sufficient distance to allow the arm 14to move therebetween. Journaled on shafts 20 fixed between the sideplates l8 are rollers 22 which are formed with grooved peripheriesengaging with the top and bottom surface of each arm M as particularlyevident from Figs. 1 and 5. By using two rollers 22 at the top and twoat the bottom of the arm l4 each jaw member l6 has a very sturdyslidable mounting on the arm.

The side plates l8 of each jaw member I6 are formed with an inwardlydirected portion to which is welded a curved plate 26 which forms thesurface of the jaw member which engages secured between the lowerends'of the plates and which extends beneath the curved plate 26 toadditionally strengthen it. .A face plate 30 The mechanism for movingthe jaw members [6 toward and from the pedestal l2 and thus toward andfrom each other includes clevis or shackle 34 adapted to receive a cranehook whereby the carrier can be lifted. Pivotally secured to the shackle34 are two sets of links 36 and 38. The links 36 extend to and arepivotally secured to one jaw member, as is best illustrated in Fig. 4,by extending one of the shafts 28 to receive the ends of the links. Theother set of links 38 is pivotally secured to the other jaw member I 6in a similar manner.

It is part of my inventive concept to provide the carrier apparatus justdescribed with latch means for automatically but releasably holding thejaw members 16 in their most extended or widest open position.Relatively simple means to accomplish the desired result comprise alatch 42 which is pivotally secured as at 44 to and be tween the links35. The latch 42 extends slidably above a pin 46 mounted between thelinks 38 which pin engages with a notch 48 formed on the latch 42 whenthe jaw members are almost at the end of their outward movement on thearms M. The latch 42 is formed with an operating handle 50 whereby thelatch mechanism can be manually operated by a Workman when desired.

The inward movement of the jaw members [6 on the arms I4 is limited byengagement of the members with the pedestal 12 which may be centrallyslotted to allow the greatest possible inward movement of the jawmembers. The outward movement of the members is limited by the provisionof stops such as pins 54 mounted o the ends of the arms l4.

It is believed that the operation of the carrier will be evident fromthe foregoing description and the accompanying drawings. However,briefly summarizing, when it is desired to pick up a coil the carriersupported upon a crane-is normally in the full line position illustratedin 'Fig. l with the latch 42 engaged behind the pin 46. The carrier islowered down over the coil until the pedestal l2 engages with the coilin a top central position. The workman then raises latch 42 throughoperating handle 50 to disengage notch 43 from pin 46 and the carrier islifted at which time the jaw members it move inwardly on arms 14 untilface plates 30 engage with the ends of the coil. Continued verticalmovement of the shackle 34 by the crane moves curved plates 26 intoengagement with the inner periphery of the coil and the coil is bodilyraised.

The coil is then carried by the traveling crane to a desired destinationand the carrier is lowered until the coil engages with the'fioor orother support upon which it is being placed. Continued downward movementof the crane hook and shackle 34 moves the curved plates 26 away fromthe inside periphery of the coil and causes the pedestal E2 to engagewith the top central portion of the outer surface of the coil. Continuedmovement downward of the shackle 34 moves the jaw members it out to theends of the arms l4 until they contact with the stops 54. Just prior tothe contact of the jaw members [6 with the stops 54 the latch 42 engageswith a pin 46xso.

that the carrier can immediately be raised without attention by aworkman on the floor and can 'modified jaws.

be moved where desired to perform any subsequent coil-carryingoperations.

Itwill be seen that the objects of my invention "have been achievedby'the provision of relatively sturdy, safe, simple, and easily operatedapparatus for carrying coils and the like without damage thereto. Asspecifically shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus is adapted to handle coilsof 'Widely varying widths, as, for example, from 24 inches to 78 inches.The full'line position illustrates the apparatus in its fully extendedposition where it is adapted to handle a relatively wide coil and thedotted lines indicate the apparatus in substantially its narrowestposition where it is adapted to handle a relatively narrow coil. Theapparatus is relatively inexpensive and can be operated by'the ordinaryworkman without special training.

While as generally indicated above the apparatus can be .used for otherpurposes than the handling of metal coils, it should be particularlyunderstood that the apparatus can be adapted to the handling of fiatsheets or other cast or rolled .metal bodies by the provision ofdifferent or I likewise contemplate the provision of a double framehaving two sets of aligned arms each set carrying a pair of jaw membersso that in all four jaw members are provided. In this modification of myinvention particularly adapted to the handling of sheets or rectangularbodies the frame is, of course, integral and the 'two sets of jawmembers can be interconnected 1. A coil carrier comprising a frameincluding -a central pedestal, aligned arms secured to the pedestal andextending outwardly and slightly downwardly therefrom, an inwardlyfacing jaw slidably mounted on each arm for movement to and from thepedestal, a crane shackle, links pivotally secured to one jaw andpivotally connected to the shackle, links pivotally secured to the otherjaw and pivotally connected to the shackle, and a latch pivotallysecured to one set :of links and extending into releasable engagementwith the other set of links for holding the jaws apart near their mostextended position, said latch being automatically set during the releaseof a coil by lowering the shackle toward the pedestal which engages withthe top of the coil.

:2. A carrier apparatuscomprising a frame including a central pedestal,aligned arms secured to the pedestal and extending outwardly anddownwardly thereof, an inwardly facing jaw slidably mounted on each'armfor movement'to and from the pedestal, and normally held by its ownweight at the outward end of its supporting arm, a crane shackle, a linkpivotally secured to one jaw and pivotally connected to the shackle, alink pivotally secured to the other jaw and pivotally connected to theshackle, and a latch pivcentral pedestal, substantially horizontalaligned arms secured to the pedestal and extending outwardly therefrom,an inwardly facing jaw slidably mounted On each arm for movement to andfrom the pedestal, a crane shackle free for movement to and from theframe, a rigid link pivotally secured directly to one jaw and pivotallyconnected directly to the shackle, a rigid link pivotally secureddirectly to the other jaw and pivotally connected directly to theshackle so that movement of the shackle to and from the frame effectsoutward and inward movement respectively of the jaws, and latch meansfor releasably holding the jaws apart when desired.

4. A carrier comprising a frame including a central pedestal,substantially horizontal aligned arms secured to the pedestal andextending outwardly therefrom, an inwardly facing jaw slidably mountedon each arm for movement to and from the pedestal, a crane shackle freefor movement to and from the frame, a rigid link pivotally secureddirectly to one jaw and pivotally connected directly to the shackle, anda rigid link pivotally secured directly to the other jaw and pivotallyconnected directly to the shackle so that movement of the shackle to andfrom the frame effects outward and inward movement respectively of thejaws.

5. A carrier mechanism comprising a frame including substantiallyhorizontal aligned arms extending outwardly thereof, an inwardly facingjaw slidably mounted on each arm for movement to and from each other, acrane shackle free for movement to and from the frame, a rigid linkpivotally secured directly to one jaw and pivotally connected directlyto the shackle, a rigid link pivotally secured directly to the other jawand pivotally connected directly to the shackle so that movement of theshackle to and from the frame effects outward and inward movementrespectively of the jaws, and a latch pivotally secured to one link andextending into releasable engagement with the other for holding the jawsapart near their most extended position.

6. A carrier mechanism comprising a frame including substantiallyhorizontal aligned arms extending outwardly, thereof, an inwardly facingjaw slidably mounted on each arm for movement to and from eachother, acrane shackle free for movement to and fromthe frame, a rigid linkpivotally secured directly to one jaw and pivotally connected directlyto the shackle, a rigid link pivotally secured directly to the other jawand pivotally connected directly to the shackle so that movement of theshackle to and from the frame effects outward and inward movementrespectively of the jaws, and a latch holding the jaws apart near theirmost extended position.

7. A carrier mechanism comprising a frame including substantiallyhorizontal aligned arms extending outwardly thereof, an inwardly facingjaw slidably mounted on each arm for movement to and from each other, acrane shackle free for movement to and from the frame, a rigid linkpivotally secured directly to one jaw and pivotally connected directlyto the shackle, and a rigid link pivotally secured directly to the otherjaw and pivotally connected directly to the shackle so that movement ofthe shackle to and from the frame efi'ects outward and inward movementrespectively of the jaws.

8. In combination a frame, inwardly facing jaws slidably mounted on theframe for movement to and from each other, a crane block free formovement to and from the frame, a rigid link pivotally secured directlyto one jaw and pivotally connected directly to the block, a rigid linkpivotally secured directly to the other jaw and pivotally connecteddirectly to the block so that movement of the block to and from theframe effects outward and inward movement respectively of the jaws, anda latch pivotally secured to one link and extending into releasableengagement with the other for holding the jaws apart near their mostextended position.

9. In combination a frame, inwardly facing jaws slidably mounted on theframe for movement to and from each other, a crane block free formovement to and from the frame, a rigid link pivotally secured directlyto one jaw and pivotally connected directly to the block, a rigid linkpivotally secured directly to the other jaw and pivotally connecteddirectly to the block so that movement of the block to and from theframe effects outward and inward movement respectively of the jaws, anda latch holding the jaws apart when desired.

10. In combination a frame, inwardly facing jaws slidably mounted on theframe for movement to and from each other, a crane block free formovement to and from the frame, a rigid link pivotally secured directlyto one jaw and pivotally connected directly to the block, and a rigidlink pivotally secured directly to the other jaw and pivotally connecteddirectly to the block so that movement of the block to and from theframe effects outward and inward movement respectively of the jaws.

11. In combination, a frame including aligned oppositely inclinedportions, an inwardly facing jaw slidably mounted on each inclinedportion for movement to and from the central part of the frame butnormally held by its own weight at the outer end of its arm portion, ashackle, linkage pivotally secured to one jaw and pivotally connected tothe shackle, linkage pivotally secured to the other jaw and pivotallyconnected to the shackle, and a latch pivotally secured to one set oflinkage and extending into releasable engagement with the other forholding the jaws apart when desired.

12. In combination, a frame including aligned oppositely inclinedportions, an inwardly facing jaw slidably mounted on each inclinedportion for movement to and from the central part of the frame butnormally held by its own weight at the outer end of its arm portion, ashackle, rigid linkage pivotally secured to one jaw and pivotallyconnected to the shackle, and rigid linkage pivotally secured to theother jaw and pivotally connected to the shackle.

13. A grapple comprising a frame, jaw members mounted on the frame formovement toward and from each other to clamp a load therebetween, ahook, means for connecting the jaw members and the hook together so thatwhen the hook is lifted the jaw members are moved towards each otherwith a clamping action, means associated with the aforesaid apparatusassembly for automatically locking the arms in substantially their fullyopen position, and means associated with the frame and adapted to engagewith the load after it has been deposited and functioning to operate thelocking means whereby the grapple can be raised without the jawsengaging the load.

. CHARLES F. BUENTE.

